Cost Accountant

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The Cost Accountant reports to the Gates UK Financial Controller and plays a key role in financial analysis and decision support across the business. Core responsibilities include:

• Leading monthly management accounts submissions and UK entity budgets/forecasts
• Business partnering with management and operational teams to provide financial insight and drive performance
• Acting as site finance lead for productivity initiatives and deputising for the Financial Controller as needed
• Preparing operational performance reports, variance analysis, and commentaries
• Managing stock and overhead reporting, fixed asset register, and CAPEX support
• Performing product costing, balance sheet reconciliations, and risk/opportunity assessments
• Ensuring compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley controls and supporting year-end audits
• Driving continuous improvement in finance and ERP processes
• Supporting ad hoc projects and maintaining data integrity across systems

Keys to Success

• Requires conceptual and practical expertise in own area and general knowledge of related areas.
• Has knowledge of best practices and how own are area integrates with others

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Plans, initiates, and completes work assignments with a minimum of direction.
• Understands and applies legal requirements and administrative policies to departmental accounting functions. Interprets and analyses complex fiscal data, drawing logical conclusions.
• Detects possible weaknesses in the internal control of standard accounting procedures and recommends revisions.
• Solves complex problems by taking a new perspective on existing solutions; exercises judgment based on the analysis of multiple sources of information
• Performs complex professional accounting duties
• Impacts a range of customer, operational, project or service activities within own team and other related teams; works within broad guidelines and policies
• Verbally communicate accounting procedures and policies to staff and others;
• Write memos and reports clearly and concisely;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others

Requirements and Preferred Skills

• 5-7 years of experience

• Fully qualified CIMA or ACCA
• Minimum 3 years of experience in a manufacturing finance environment
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and attention to detail
• Solid understanding of internal controls and financial regulations
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Able to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• Advanced Excel and strong ERP/manufacturing systems knowledge
• Well-organised with clear self-expression and a proactive mindset
• Manufacturing finance experience; HFM knowledge preferred